Motorcycle blog, Ride it Like You Stole it, has a pretty interesting list of ways to spill your motorcycle. There’s nothing like a stupid self provoked spill to set of a good hissy fit. I nearly tossed my helmet in the ground when I dropped my Honda once, because I put my foot down in some gravel. Luckily I came to my senses and saved having to buy a new helmet.

I’m guilty of at least to of the bike dropping methods on the list; Putting your foot down on something slippery when stopping, and Not putting the kickstand down when getting off. I managed to save the last one before the bike hit the ground though, but it demanded some serious acrobatics.

When these spill, or near spill experiences happen to me, it’s always because of rushing or lack of concentration. Which indicates, that when riding a motorcycle you have to clear your mind, focus on what you’re doing, and just take your time.

Many thanks, in no particular order, to the 4 guys renovating a nearby house, the farmhand on his way home from a late shift, the man who thought he was popping to the post office to pick up some stamps not a 900cc Triumph, and my brother-in-law who turned out to have a very handy trailer with tie-downs and ramp. The one advantage of being a lady biker is that it’s OK to ask people to help you pick it up again!

Nothing special, just forgot to put down the kickstand- just happened to be trying to look cool in front of Triumph rider in front of local store on my Sportster. Pulled up, slid off the seat in my usual, practiced, casual way, and was 3 steps toward the door before my poor XLH hit the ground. Felt so small I mighta needed a ladder to get back on…Southern Cal, 1977…

May I add one more? Deciding to ride your bike to work early one morning and, because your husband left the riding lawnmower parked to the left of your bike and his motorcycle closely in front of yours, attempting to “duck-walk” the machine backwards on dewy grass… my left turn-signal was broken off but the lawnmower survived without a scratch.

Danielle June 5th

I’m guilty of #95 yesterday. Dropped my honda shadow 750 in front of a bunch of guys yesterday, sharp turn into parking spot on a hill 🙁
ego hurt more than anything else.

Thank GOODNESS I’ve never dropped my bike! These will serve as a constant reminder to always be careful. I can’t believe how many used bikes have been dropped! I’ve only got 10,000km under my belt on a 250, but hopefully this will help me to keep it damage free! What an awful feeling haha